Logistics UK has announced it is a founding member of the UK government’s new Critical Imports Council, which has been established to identify and mitigate disruptions to the supply of critical imports such as medicine and hi-tech components.
According to Logistics UK, the interconnected nature of global businesses means the UK’s supply chains can be disrupted significantly by world events, as has been seen in recent years with the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and, more recently, interruptions to shipping routes in the Red Sea.
The government’s Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, which was published in January 2024, highlights the need for resilient supply chains to protect ongoing business and industry in the UK and recognizes that the strategy will only be impactful if the measures are developed and delivered in close partnership with industry.
The Critical Imports Council brings together 23 representatives from business and academia to create a forum to enable cross-sectoral collaboration and best practice sharing on approaches to build supply chain resilience and ensure the flow of critical imports into the UK.
Speaking after the inaugural meeting of the group on April 17, Logistics UK’s CEO David Wells OBE said, “Logistics UK’s seat on the Critical Imports Council recognizes the vital role that the logistics sector plays in ensuring the success of the UK economy, and we welcome the government’s invitation to join the discussions, building on the knowledge we amassed during the pandemic. The breadth of experience on the council is exceptional and, working together, we can develop practical solutions to secure the UK’s supply chains and mitigate risks to the flow of essential goods to UK households, businesses and public services.
“Our invitation to sit on the Critical Imports Council reflects our standing in the sector as the eyes and ears of the logistics industry in the UK. We can now ensure that our members’ concerns are voiced and addressed at the highest level when it comes to the practical implications and requirements of securing the UK’s supply chains.”